Despite the freshness of the hour, a quorum of the Montana Tavern Association Public Relations Committee was reached shortly after 9 a.m. Nov. 7 at Jorgenson's Lounge in Helena.
The meeting was called to order by MTA Executive Director Diana Koon who functioned as acting committee chairman until a new chairman can be named to replace Sue Foster who has sold her license and retired from the business.
The committee discussed and agreed that MTA needed to find more ways to continue publicizing the charitable and in-kind contributions the association and its members make.
The committee reviewed a proposal from Montana Department of Health and Human Services in which cocktails napkins promoting low-cost or free mammograms and PAP tests for under-insured and uninsured women would be distributed to MTA member locations via wine and beer distributors at little or no cost to the location.
Koon said she thought this was a good idea, similar to the designated driver promotion of the past, and that she thought it was a good way for the industry to recognize the special health needs of its female clientele.
MTA Government Affairs Counsel and Lobbyist Mark Staples told the committee that anything a trade association can do to enhance its public image "can't hurt," and his thoughts were echoed by the committee members.
The committee agreed to present the proposal to the entire board with a recommendation it be approved.
Koon next asked the committee to consider whether they wished to contribute one-to-one matchable funds to the Montana Meth Project.
The project, started by businessman and Montana rancher Thomas Siebel, has, in the past, been funded by him exclusively. It is highly acclaimed and recent reports indicate methamphetamine use is down substantially in the state. The model program is also being adopted by a half dozen other states.
Koon told the committee that the offer to have donated funds matched by Siebel expired November 14, so MTA had little time in which to act.
Staples told the committee the industry would garner more positive public impact if the majority of any funds raised came from the individual local tavern organizations as well as the MTA and urged the committee to increase the goal for donations.
Sandy Jones, Missoula, said she has seen the problems caused by meth close up, and felt that whatever could be done to stem the problem was a good thing. Several other members voiced similar opinions and concerns.
Mary Jane Heisler, Great Falls, suggested the MTA solicit the local organizations for funding with the understanding that the MTA would add to the amount raised. The committee agreed that $15,000 was the target they would like to reach, with the hope that two-thirds or more of the funds would be raised from the local affiliates. The committee agreed to make this recommendation to the full board.
Koon and Staples then reiterated their belief that MTA needed to be vigilant, and needed to keep ahead of those issues that might detract from the image MTA presented as a good partner in promoting responsible adult activities and quality communities.
Staples also reminded the committee that elections were not as far away as the calendar seemed to indicate, and that part of the organization's duty was to work with candidates who would treat small business fairly.
The committee informally discussed upcoming political contests, the status of the "cabaret" licensing process, and "bottle clubs."
Members encouraged MTA President Dennis White to recruit and name a new committee chairman as soon as feasible. With no other urgent business, the committee adjourned.
Source: The Montana Tavern Times, December, 2007, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W. Granite St., Suite 102, Butte, MT 59701.